Nemo the little clownfish loved his shiny, swirly shell. It wasn't a *real* shell, of course, but a beautiful, pearly piece of coral his daddy had found for him. Nemo took it everywhere! He slept with it, he played hide-and-seek with it, and he even pretended it was a tiny boat.
One sunny morning, Nemo was playing tag with his friends, Dory and Squirt. They zoomed around the coral reef, laughing and swirling. Nemo held his shell tight… or so he thought! When they stopped to rest, Nemo looked down. His shell was GONE!
Nemo’s little fin trembled. He searched and searched, peeking behind every anemone and under every rock. “Oh no, oh no!” he worried. He was scared to tell anyone he’d lost it. What if they laughed? What if he never found it?
Dory, noticing Nemo’s sad face, swam closer. “What’s wrong, Nemo?” she asked kindly. Nemo, with a shaky voice, explained about his lost shell. Dory smiled. “It’s okay to ask for help, Nemo! That’s what friends are for!”
Squirt zoomed in, excited. “We can all look together!” And so they did. Dory remembered seeing a shiny object near Old Man Turtle’s seaweed garden. They swam quickly, and there it was! Nemo’s shell, nestled amongst the green seaweed.
Nemo was SO happy! He thanked Dory and Squirt for helping him. He realized it wasn’t scary to ask for help at all. In fact, it made finding his shell much more fun!
Old Man Turtle chuckled. “Sometimes, little one, the biggest adventures are finding things with your friends.” Nemo hugged his shell tight. He learned that day that even when things get lost, friends and a little bravery can always help you find your way.
That night, Nemo slept soundly, his shiny shell tucked safely beside him. He dreamed of playing tag with Dory and Squirt, knowing that no matter what, they would always be there to help him, and he would always be there for them too. Sweet dreams, little one.